Considered a synonym of Pimephales promelas Rafinesque, 1820
- Gilbert, Carter R.. 1998. "Type catalog of Recent and fossil North American Freshwater fishes: families Cyprinidae, Catostomidae, Ictaluridae, Centrarchidae and Elassomatidae". Florida Museum of Natural History, Special Publication No. 1. 1-284 (ffm00083)
Original description as Cliola smithii:
- Evermann, Barton Warren & U.O. Cox. 1896. "A report upon the fishes of the Missouri River basin". Report of the Commissioner, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. 20:325-429 (ffm00153)